World Toilet Day: Practice these toilet habits to prevent risk of infections

Toilet meetings had become an almost quarterly affair for Ishita Nath at her workplace! And no, these were not gossip sessions inside the ladies restroom at the office, but a proper congregation of the women workforce to discuss the lack of toilet habits. Sadly, she is not alone in her predicament.

Period stains, unhygienic disposal sanitary napkins, urine drops, floating poop, stray tissues, splashed water – the list of complaints would be endless. And more often than not, it would fall on deaf ears. There would be reminders on the risks it could put everyone, but in vain.

So dear ladies, here we are on World Toilet Day, discussing the need to maintain toilet hygiene.

Tips to practice toilet hygiene:

Dr Gunjan Bhola, Senior Consultant Gynaecologist Asian Institute of Medical Sciences, says that while using public washrooms, women are at a higher risk for urine infections and genital infections as compared to males. So, what can you do?

The expert advises the following:

1. Avoid touching the toilet seat while sitting.
2. Clean the seat after using it.
3. Wash your hands properly after using the restroom.
4. You need to flush every time you use the toilet. Studies have shown that flushing takes almost 90 percent of infectious organisms.
5. There are brands who have improvised the technique of urinating in females without sitting on the seat. Try that!
6. Toilet seats tend to be unhygienic. People leave without cleaning them, so it makes the other person or people more prone to infections.
7. Shut the lid before flushing. Researchers found that with each flush, germs can be released up to 10 inches above toilet seats.
8. Keep the floor dry and the sink slab dry.
9. Do not throw tissues outside the dustbin.
10. Dispose sanitary waste in a proper way.

Also Read: Is it possible to get an STI from a toilet seat? A doctor reveals

You may also like

How are UTI and sex interlinked? Watch Video

Vaginal yeast infection: How long does it last and how to treat it Read Article

The last words

At Ishita’s workplace, people would often joke that an audio clip of Shah Rukh Khan’s “Palat,palat” dialogue from “Dilwale Dulhania Le Jaayenge” should play automatically before a lady exits from the loo! So, the next time you go to a toilet – at home or at a public place – perhaps just imagine this. And then take a last look at whether or not you’re leaving the loo clean for someone else to use or not!